According to the CDC, the leading cause of death among teens in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. 2,163 teenagers aged 16 to 19 were killed in the United States in the year 2013. Additionally, 243,243 teens were treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. This means that 6 teens aged 16 to 19 are killed every day as a result of motor vehicle injuries. Texting or talking on mobile phones is a major cause of car crashes among teens. 56% of teens in the US admit to talking on their mobile phone while driving, while 13% admit to texting while driving. It is important to take precautionary steps to avoid getting into a car accident.
- Get supervised practice driving as much as you can – It is important to make sure that your parents take an active role in your practice driving. You should come up with a schedule together and stick to it. Make sure that you get supervised practice driving until you take your test to obtain a license.
- Always wear the seatbelt – Many teens do not bother to put on their seatbelt when they drive. This can make a huge difference in saving your life in case of a car crash. You should get into the habit of wearing a safety belt every time you are in a car, whether it is as a driver or a passenger.
- Avoid drinking and drug use – Everyone knows that underage drinking and drug use is illegal. Even one drink can cause a chemical effect on your brain, which in turn can impair judgment as well as reaction time. You can lose your license, or your life, when you drive under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or other substances.
- Limit the number of passengers in your car – Every additional passenger that you have in the vehicle with you increases the risk of a fatal crash. When you are a new driver, it is smart to limit the number of passengers in your car.
- Avoid nighttime driving – Did you know that the risk of a fatal crash increases by as much as 3 times at night for every mile driven than during the day? It is best to avoid driving at night until you are 100% comfortable driving in the day.
- Train for poor weather conditions – It is best to avoid driving in bad weather conditions without supervision even if you are confident driving in good weather. You should get as much supervised practice driving in poor weather conditions as possible before you try it on your own.
- Avoid cell phone use while driving – One of the worst habits that a driver can have is talking on the phone or texting while on the road. Your cell phone should be in your car for emergencies only. If you do need to make a call or reply to a text, pull over safely to the side of the road first.
A Spectacular Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle crash due to someone else’s reckless or negligent actions, you should get in touch with the experienced and reliable personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. The first meeting is free. We are not paid until you are paid.
